Tag: events17

Come along and enjoy dancing a range of traditional dances in lines, sets and circles to their polkas, jigs and reels, with a couple of additional Celtic tunes thrown in for good measure between dances.

“Peace Works” is a local Ceilidh band who has been playing together for many years for community events and to raise funds for charities dear to their hearts. They have gathered a large collection of tunes and dances, mostly from the Celtic tradition, including many of the Ceilidh favourites and a few lesser known gems.

Jim Ledwidge leads the band on piano accordion and your main caller will be Rosie Benton.

Ceilidh video from the 1st Dance Festival [may need some time to load]

5Rhythms is a simple but profound movement meditation practice designed to release the free, spontaneous dancer that lives in every body regardless of it’s limitations or experience. Rather than having steps to learn each rhythms provides us with a different energy field in which you arrive into your own unique embodiment and expression, thereby stretching and releasing your imagination as well as your body.

In this session we will dance alone, with partners and as a group because in life these 3 levels of relating exist. We allow movement and breath rather than thinking to be the medicine that moves us into an increasingly easier relationship with all of life

Francis has been teaching 5Rhythms since completing his training with Gabrielle Roth in 2005.
He teaches every Monday evening at the Methodist Church in Hebden Bridge from 7.15pm to 9.30.

Our North West style of Morris dancing grew out of the processions common at holiday times in the north west mill towns in Victorian times. We dance in sets of 8 people, in 2 lines of 4 moving forwards and backwards and performing various “figures” or patterns interspersed with a chorus figure. There are two basic steps: a “single step”, similar to skipping, and a “rant” or polka type step. We hold sticks, mill bobbins or garlands. Our music is mainly traditional, played on accordions, melodeons, clarinet, whistle and drums.

In performance we wear clogs, with rubber on the soles rather than the traditional irons which many men’s teams wear. For the workshop, trainers or similar are ideal. Fairly loose fitting or stretchy trousers are best for easy leg movement.

Persephone first performed in 1978, dancing in the North West Style. Many of the dances originate from the following of the rushcarts, the annual event of bringing new rushes for the church floor, in a ceremonial procession. This processional style further developed once the streets of the industrial towns of the North became paved.

There is a long tradition of clog stepping in the north of England which needed a hard floor. With the paving of the streets, clog stepping quickly became inseparable from the processional Morris of the North West; their large bands made it possible for the music to be heard over the sound of the clogs. Women dancers have always been a part of this type of dance, and today women’s, men’s and mixed teams can be seen.

Persephone is easily recognisable by the dancers’ black kits with bright green and yellow sashes and ribbons, whilst the band wears black and striking top hats with green and yellow ribbons; the side all wear black clogs with bells. The exuberant style and standard of dancing is maintained by weekly practices throughout the year at Hunsworth Community Centre, near Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire.

Persephone dances a mixture of traditional and new dances written specially for the team, using bobbins, garlands, sticks and slings. The band comprises accordions, melodeons, clarinet, whistle, a large drum, and a snare drum.

Persephone can be seen at venues throughout the country, dancing at festivals, in processions, at weekends of dance and all manner of other events, summer and winter alike.

Persephone is always keen to welcome new female dancers and musicians (female or male), both new and experienced.

My partner Nigel and I teach jive which is s blend of 1940’s Swing Jive and 1950’s Rock n Roll to absolute Beginners and to the more advanced Jiver’s.

At the Hebden Bridge festival we will be doing demonstrations and teaching people new to Jive, showing them the basic footwork, a few easy moves and a couple of strolls which, unlike jive for which you will need a partner, are individual dances, similar to line dances but done to jive music.

If you are bitten by the bug, you can come along to our Jive Class in Halifax the following week.

I came across Circle Dance at Findhorn Foundation over 30yrs ago when I was looking for healing and I was immediately hooked! I then trained there and started teaching, sowing many seeds of the dance in the North of England making Circe Dance my vocation and living. I teach regular local groups as well as days/weekends and weeks.

This session I will teach a variety of simple dances from around the world – both traditional and recent. Some will be lively and upbeat and others gentle or meditative. The music is equally eclectic / worldwide from Bob Marley to Bach! – So maybe we have a dance from the Shetland Isles / South Africa / Bolivia / Bulgaria / East European Gipsy / a meditational dance with music by Ravi Shankar with words that are a peace mantra. There are thousands of dances and moods! Some dances are very ancient and others recently choreographed.

The aim is about creating JOY, UNITY ,COMMUNITY, RAISING ENERGY and PEACE .

You DON’T need a partner and NO experience needed. Children are welcome but must come accompanied by an adult and be wanting to give it a go! Barefoot or flat soft shoes. Wear layers so you can peel off and on as you feel! Bring some water and an open mind and heart! Feel free to contact me if you have any queries;

Collegiate Shag (or just “Shag”) is a partnered uptempo Swing dance originating from the beginning of the swing era in the 1920s. It is usually danced to faster (180-220 bpm) swing, pre-swing and jazz music. Collegiate Shag had a worldwide revival in the last few years, from only a few enthusiasts dancing Shag to a wide phenomenon within British and many European swing dance scenes. Sometimes fast, sometimes silly, and always a funny dance, Collegiate Shag is sometimes referred to as the “Happy Dance”.

Malte and Georgie started weekly Collegiate Shag classes in Manchester in January under the name Manshagster. Malte started partnered dancing in 2009 and went through various styles and different music, before he fell in love with Swing dances a few years ago because he liked the openness of the people and the amount of expression that jazz music makes possible. Among the swing dances, Collegiate Shag is his favourite for the amount of energy, foolishness, and musicality it allows. Georgie fell in love with Shag on the first night. Having explored a few swing dances, Collegiate Shag is her absolute favourite, and she can equally be found on dance floors across the country, always smiling, with her camera, and up for a Shag-related joke.
PS: Georgie can’t come, so Malte will teach with Grace

Bodies and minds working (and playing) co-operatively together to create moving human sculptures of war and of peace.Wear loose fitting clothing for ease of movement. Family of participants welcome, would be lovely to have a spread of young and old, all abilities. Disabled participants welcome (advance notice helpful).

Following the Opening Celebrations of the ‘Cathedral’, Bill was in Zambia, Africa, directing another first – a Celebration of the country’s 3rd Anniversary of Independence with a touring circus-style production of a Greek tragedy (Aeschylus’ “Oresteia”), transformed from Greece to Africa with a company of 40 drummers, dancers, actors, and narrator.

When he returned to Liverpool later that year he co-founded Great Georges Community Arts Project – the UK’s first Community Arts Project, and now better known as ‘The Black-E’ – in company with his wife Wendy Harpe and his friend Peter Moores, and located in a former inner-city church once known as ‘Liverpool’s Third Cathedral’.

His work there has included the exploration, and creation of games which are – co-operative – creative – and challenging. This work is documented and celebrated in his book “Games for the New Years : A DIY Guide to Games for the 21st Century”, available with a DVD of the games in action from The Black-E. Bill continues to work (and play) at The Black-E as Director.

He contributed as a dance critic to the ‘Guardian’ for 40+ years, and continues to write on dance for other journals. A selection of his dance writings, produced by James MacRitchie, is to be published later this year under the title ‘Dancing with Words’.

A book on Leadership by Peter Møhring, with roots in Bill’s exploration and creation of challenging, creative, and co-operative games, is shortly to be published in Danish and English (CHQ Publishing).

Bill has authored books on Theatre Games as social art, and numerous other articles and manuals on topics as diverse as Leadership and Playgroups. He has directed Festivals of Games, participatory theatre and taught internationally. Further information, along with a more complete biography, is accessible and available on the website of The Black-E at www.theblack-e.co.uk. This website includes an extensive section of Archive pages (‘A Gift of Ideas’).See photos here

In 2015, at 79 years young, he performed a solo 12 hour Dance Marathon, with guest dancers, as a fund raiser for The Black-E. Bill just keeps on Dancing…

I just love playing music that releases fear stress and heartache and attracts authentic miracles for love and forgiveness. I listen to so many tracks for each dance for life!
Come together & move your body & soul. Bring your friends, anyone who wants to dance free.
No fixed steps. Nothing is right or wrong. A place to dance like nobody is watching, with beautiful music. Bring nibbles to share! My love Roger King

“I work with abused and traumatised men and women. I take them from survival mode into living mode where they find their wisdom, courage and inner power to create new beliefs to build a beautiful life. I Skype all over the world.” – Roger KingRoger has just completed his 7th book: A Little Book of Love.

Biodanza (dance of life) is a system of human integration (practiced in 53 countries around the world) originally devised in Chile, south America by Rolando Toro Areneda. It uses an eclectic range of music, exercises, dances and group encounter to help us access our emotions (especially our joy) and to be fully in the moment (the vivencia). The sessions stimulate the five lines within us which need to be fully expressed so that we can achieve our true potential and be truly happy. These five lines are vitality, creativity, affectivity, sexuality and transcendence.
A session (vivencia) provides us with a complete work out and relaxation programme for body, mind and soul

Noel Watkins – Biodanza

Noel Watkins is West Yorkshire’s only fully trained Biodanza facilitator and one of only a handful of individuals qualified to train others to be teachers. He is an engaging storyteller and has over 25 years teaching experience in mainstream primary education. He is very passionate about helping others realise their full potential and is committed to the creative process in building sustainable communities of the future.

Combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness, Nia tones your body while transforming your mind. More than just a workout, Nia is a holistic fitness practice which invites you to move your body’s way to feel joyful, relaxed and alive. Our dance session will combine 52 simple moves with dance arts, martial arts, and healing arts, it is non-impact, practiced barefoot, and adaptable to individual needs and abilities.

During my first Nia class I smiled inside from my core! Over the last 8 years it’s been my weekly anchor and brought a lightness and so much fun to my life.

I teach public classes in Hebden Bridge, and it’s a real privilege to offer a weekly class to teachers in a Halifax school on a Friday to help them shake their week out!
Here is a new video describing Nia dance:

I have been dancing since the age of 3, ballet in those days (and asked to leave as I was too wild!) To me dancing is an expression of individuality but can also be very much about the collective (as with folk/group/circle dances).

With Middle Eastern dance, there is the opportunity to express the aspects of life that connect us to each other, to nature and ultimately to joy.It offers direct response to how the music moves the individual, a mixture of spontaneity and discipline, an interplay of dark and light, sharp and soft, fast and slow.

My workshops and performances have a strong emphasis on pleasure – fun, laughter, enjoyment, learning, healing and mutual support and encouragement.When we dance together we connect in an honest natural way, we realise the beauty that shines through all of us. We realise that we all breath the same air, share the same emotions and have a common destiny.

As well as teaching Middle Eastern dance throughout the UK for over 20 years Anne also organises trips to the Moroccan Sahara and other areas of Morocco, for dancers, musicians and anyone who wants an adventure.

Please could participants wear white dress (white loose pants and shirt), that would be nice for the spirit of the practice.

“Come, come, whoever you areWanderer, worshiper, lover of leavingIt doesn’t matterOurs is not a caravan of despairEven if you have broken your vows a thousand timesCome, yet again come, come.”

Dalal-Ud-Din RUMI

Alileau Alileau became Semazen in the Order of Dancers in Istanbul in the tradition of Mevlana Rumi in June 2016, following his work supporting Syrian refugees in Turkey practicing Body Arts, music and circus skills, practises of Qi-Qong, and Do-In (Self Shiatsu) After a hard training, Sheikr (master) Yakup Baba invited me to celebrate the ceremony of the benediction of trust in the Sufism path and offered my robe (whirling dance dress), to enter in the path of becoming a Semazen whirling dancer in the order of Mevlevi tradition in Istanbul of Mevlana Djalal-ud-Din RUMI.

Nataraj Meditation was devised by the mystic Osho, as an opportunity to let “the dancer become the dance.” It consists of 40 minutes free-form dancing – eyes closed as much as possible – to beautiful, wild, stirring music; then 20 minutes lying on the back, in Corpse pose; then 5 minutes more of dancing.
Natraj is the name of Shiva when he is dancing. This is a free-form, inward-looking yet fully expressive Osho moving meditation with a silent phase as well.
The dancer can become the dance…and silence blooms after movement.

That’s all; but in that time the energy moves profoundly, comes to deep watchful rest, and then rises again. One emerges all silent and reborn, the body fluid and glowing, the face like a Buddha’s.

Madhuri Z K Ewing lived in Osho’s communes from 1973 to 2003. She is a poet, artist, metaphysical healer, and meditation teacher. The most recent of her five books, The Poona Poems, came out in January. Born in California, she has lived in Hebden Bridge since 2012.

Anna Holmes’ love of dance began here in Hebden Bridge as soon as she mastered the ability to walk. At the age of 15, she was selected on the Centre of Advanced Training scheme at the prestigious Northern School of Contemporary Dance; after six years of intense contemporary and balletic training, Anna left with first-class honours.

Since then, she has been touring nationally with JV2 – the professional development scheme of the Jasmin Vardimon Company. She has had the privilege to collaborate with choreographers such as Jasmin Vardimon, Marilena Dara, Jukstapoz and Sally Marie. During her training, Anna, and her partner, have created their own company ‘Northern Rascals’, a multi-disciplinary company that they hope to bring to a venue near you!

This fun and innovative workshop will allow youngsters to express and tap into their bounds of creativity through a series of theatrical dance games. We aim to create an awareness of how powerful the combination of voice and movement can be in expressing a variety of themes and scenarios. For example, we will play with our imagination to enter a world where anything can exist, from floors made of treacle to morphing into scary and very silly monsters! The class will be focussed on letting go, having fun and really finding our inner (or outer) clown. So sign up, come down and let’s get silly!

Open to all ages, young and old, so stick around parents and get stuck in! Maybe double-headed monsters can exist too…

All our dance activity is led and informed by people with learning disabilities. DanceSyndrome activities give people confidence, respect, value and self-belief through our philosophy of ‘anything is possible even though you have a learning disability’.

Dancesyndrome is an inclusive charity for all. We offer an inclusive and innovative way for everyone to improve their health, wellbeing and confidence –regardless of age or ability

Everybody Dance is a fun, accessible and inclusive dance session for anyone who wants to get moving and have a good time. The sessions include both upbeat and gentle dance, together with movement to music, which all helps participants to build their confidence, exercise their creativity and have fun…

Touching the heart – movement to reinforce and strengthen the heart. Practicing Qigong / Chi Kung is a chance to:

– Relaxing the body
– Stimulate the meridians
– To calm down emotions
– To preserve or to get back health​

“Qi-Qong is my every day’s life, I have practiced very seriously Martial Art and dance for 20 years, and Qi-Qong has always been the practice that makes me feel very free and at peace, because with Qi-Qong, I do not have to show anything to anyone, it is a practice which allow the participant to experience life forces, freedom, in intimate and sensitive way, related to the Art of Chinese Medicine. I studied Qi-Qong for years with a Master in his style from China, a very serious dedicated man, and secondly and fortunately, I continued studying Qi-Qong with Brother Phap Lu, a monk from the Buddhism tradition from Vietnam, a great man who is doctor-acupuncture and phytotherapist and passionate about body evolution.”

Singing / chanting while dancing in a circle is a dynamic meditation in movement: from fast, high energy dances to slow contemplative walks, attuning to love, harmony and beauty, dipping into the heart of many religions, as well as touching the universal truth in various spiritual traditions: dancing inter-faith.

We move, breathe and sing together, holding hands – like one organism. Like a cell in the body, remembering being part of something much bigger than the small self. The separated individuality may dissolve into a blissful state of oneness with the group.

The Dances of Universal Peace are a spiritual practice: all chakras get involved or even activated. A deep, soulful sense of joy may be felt. Tears may flow, when the soul begins to remember its deep longing…
The dances can be a bridge to awakening, connecting with the Divine.
Your voice may open up, and your breathing can become deeper and free. We sometimes hug each other. These hugs can be very healing and comforting…”

Mo’unisa & Ralph are based in Hebden Bridge. They lead the Peace Dances with intensity, depth, heart, humour and lightness, supported with drum & guitar. They love playing with polarities by offering a mix of fiery ecstatic dances and slow meditative flowing movements.
Ralph accompanies with drum, Mo’unisa with guitar – and today Robert will support with 2nd guitar.
More: web site – facebook – youtube – Dances of Universal Peace UK

Longsword dance is a Yorkshire-based form of traditional dance performed by five, six or eight dancers dancing together in a circle, making a number of movements in which the dancers go over or under the swords. The middle sections of the dances rely on linked rings of dancers working as a team. The dance normally ends with the production and display of a ‘lock’ where swords are intertwined in one of a variety of shapes. The session will aim to introduce the basic figures & shapes used in Longsword dances & show pupils & teachers how these can be adapted & new figures developed & how they fit together to invent a new dance.

Ryburn Longsworddance is a Yorkshire-based form of traditional dance performed by five, six or eight dancers dancing together in a circle, making a number of movements in which the dancers go over or under one of the swords. The dance normally ends with the production and display of a ‘lock’ where swords are intertwined in one of a variety of v shapes.

Its origins remain obscure but it is known that many Yorkshire villages had their own dances which would often be performed as part of Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Ryburn Longsword is based in Ripponden and has been dancing together since 1994. Some of our dances are traditional and come from villages across Yorkshire; others have been created by members of the group.

We welcome dancers of all ages and abilities to our Wednesday evening practice which take place from 7.30pm to 9.00pm at 103 Oldham Rd, Ripponden. We are very lucky to be able to dance to traditional live music for our practices, which are very friendly and informal.Our ultimate aim is to dance with precision and style to public audiences, so dancers and musicians are encouraged to attend practice regularly.

If you would like to try Longsword dancing, please contact Pauline Jones on 01422 823099. You can find out more about Ryburn Three Step events and activities on our website; www.ryburn3step.org.uk

Fiddle ‘n Feet are a mixed Appalachian dance team formed over 15 years ago.
We currently have 10 dancers and 5 musicians and practice in Shipley, West Yorkshire.

We choreograph our own dances which are lively and energetic consisting of traditional Appalachian dance steps from the Appalachian mountains of America.Our musicians play old-time and bluegrass fiddle tunes.

We perform at festivals, dance and charity events mainly in Yorkshire and Lancashire and sometimes further afield.

Our workshop will consist of a performance of one of our dances.We will teach simple Appalachian steps from this dance which hopefully at the end of the workshop we will all perform.The musicians play old time and bluegrass fiddle tunes.

Experienced Teacher, Dickson Shumba, learnt the Argentine tango from a variety of teachers, prominent Argentineans and others. Dickson runs Argentine Tango Lessons, Milongas and Practicas in Yorkshire and surrounding areas.Dickson’s classes are friendly and welcoming.Dickson has a big collection of music and plays mostly Traditional Argentine Tango Music in Tandas of Three or Four. Tanda format TTVTTM punctuated with occasional tanda of what the dancers request.

Traditional French dancing takes many forms. Depending on the area they originate from, the dances can be performed in circles, lines, open circles or couples. But what they all have in common is they are very attractive, addictive and accompanied by fascinating and vibrant music.
Still very much alive in France, those dances can be seen performed on stage by the “groups folkloriques”, or danced at “bals folks”, where dancers of all ages and abilities can participate, dancing to live music.
In the workshop Geli, Monica and Toni will be teach simple dances from various French regions to live instrumental music from ‘Les Panards Dansants’ band or singing. No partner is necessary. Fun is guaranteed at the Bal – with our live band.

With an extensive background training in an array of different styles such as modern, ballet, jazz and most notably, contemporary, this class is a combination of all that have influenced me in my dance career; therefore, this has led to the development of my own distinct style. Expect the workshop to be high energy, as we delve in and out of the floor and up in to the sky, all set to the background of great music. In this class for teenagers and young adults, I welcome people with all varying levels of experience of the form, including beginners.

Previous dance experience is preferable but not necessary! Just bring an openness and trust in the capacity of your body as we follow a series of exercises and set material from my own company. I am passionate in helping as many people connect with dance as possible.

A Traditional dance to the drum (this is the meaning of its name), which makes use of Italian castanets and a frame drum with jingles as the main accompanying instrument.

This is a dance of ancient origins, linked to the seasonal cycles of the land, now danced in coincidence with the Christian festivals, which fall within the same cycles and in many other community gatherings. It’s part of the many types of Tarantellas danced in the South. This particular form comes from the area of Napoli, which is where I am from.

Danced in a group of pairs between any age and gender, it’s fun, wild and beautiful.

Filomena Ianni is both a therapist and a community drum and dance facilitator. I love to bring this dance close to my roots and my heart to festivals and private gatherings alike, anytime!

“I will be running this session with David, a young man with severe autism and his parents, plus some extra friends and family members
We would like to open the workshop up for limited number of 15 extra people to join in. If you have a learning disability, then we would require you to be accompanied by a carer or suitable support worker.

I have been working with David for the past 8 years and running regular dance sessions for him and his family. The success of these sessions has led to regular family dance sessions to celebrate birthdays, Christmas and other occasions. They are uniquely crafted around David’s individual needs and allow an opportunity for him to connect in an artistic and meaningful way with his family and friends.

We would like to offer the opportunity out to our wider community to come along and take part in this wonderful celebration of dance and individuality. No previous dance experience necessary but a willingness to join in and have fun is essential!”

Join us for a fun filled dance session suitable for anyone curious about moving while seated.
Expect a variety of dance styles and techniques, playful exercises with props, uplifting improvisation and maybe the odd poem or song.

Wear bright quirky socks!

Natalie is a local dance artists / choreographer who specialise in providing quality dance experiences for those who are living with a range of neurological conditions – eg Parkinson’s, Dementia, MS.
Through encouraging partners and carers to join in with sessions she firmly believes that the work is beneficial for ALL.